New Year Two Year ;)

This is a video of Miss Callista's two years, just in time for the New Year. Her birthday isn't until the end of January, but I figured there was no better way than to end 2013 with ten minutes of Callista ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxX257r-CsU&feature=youtube_gdata

Apparently I felt mushy today, since both of these aongs make me get teary eyed without even seeing a video to go with it. Sorry in advance for that! 2013 was a little rough for us, with several pieces of bad news, two surgeries (one of which was major), our neurosurgeon leaving, huge life changes, and many obstacles to deal with. Here's to 2014 and meeting those milestones we've been looking forward to. 

Hopefully this link works!!!!!! Happy New Year everyone <3

Follow Up MRI

It's been almost five months since Callista had her second decompression surgery. Tomorrow is the day we find out if it actually worked. We are scheduled for a full brain and spine MRI bright and early. They will be checking to see if her syrinx has gotten smaller and reviewing her chiari malformation. Please pray that these things look better. If they do not, there are only more serious options for us to consider and I cannot imagine putting my sweet girl through another surgery so soon.

We don't have any reason to believe that this surgery did not work. Callista is doing so much better lately. She is happier, stronger, and more awake than she ever was before. But we've never had an MRI turn out well, so my mommy nerves are a little on edge. Plus, it will be our first experience with a new neurosurgeon, although not our new neurosurgeon. I just want things to go smoothly tomorrow so we can move on to our happy Christmas celebrations. The uncertainty of everything is what bothers me the most. With spina bifida, none of us are ever sure of anything. Another mother put it so beautifully in her blog that there is no black or white for us. We only have gray. No one is able to tell us how life will look like a year or two down the road becuase every single one of our children are different, no matter the lesion level, the surgery options, etc. You have to rely so much on waiting and seeing. Wish us luck!
 

In the real world, equipment is slowly accumulating. We were so excited to purchase the chair for Callista that she is sitting in a few months ago. It helps give her just enough support to sit up but be able to relax if she needs a break.

 A few weeks ago we also finally got a stander for the little monster. Because Callista cannot bear weight on her legs, she doesn't get the opportunity to strengthen those muscles. By using the stander, we can encourage muscle building, bone growth, and trunk control. It also is helping a lot with her head. She loves being in it, in case you couldn't tell by the huge smile on her face! On the 30th, we take her to get her final fitting for her leg braces. These braces don't mean she can walk, but it will help her hips and her foot stay in proper placement. I look forward to posting a picture of those too :)

To all our followers, I wish you a very Merry Christmas. I hope you all get to spend time with your family and loved ones and have a blessed holiday. <3